Thukpa:Noodle Soup for the Soul

Thukpa is a hearty tibetan noodle soup, which can be made spicy or plain as per individual taste. It is a wonderfully nourishing and warming dish and therefore an ideal one dish meal for the coming monsoons.
The mustard oil in this thukpa gives it a Nepalese twist, try it if you adore mustard like I do, else use any cooking medium that you like. You could leave out the green chilli and the spices and it's still tasty. I'm giving here the maximum spice version that I learned, so feel free to eliminate any one or as many spices as you like :)

Thukpa
1 to 2 servings
Ingredients
1/2tsp butter or ghee (clarified butter)+ ½ tsp oil(I used mustard)
(You could use 1 tsp of any oil, I find that this combo gives it a lovely flavour)
1 tsp each minced ginger and garlic
1/4 medium-sized red onion
A really tiny pinch Garam masala (optional)
1/2 tsp. Red chili paste ( optional)
½ tsp chili powder (optional)
1 red baby potato ( or half a medium potato)
1/2 chopped fresh tomato (medium sized)
1 fresh green chilli, coarsely chopped
2½ cups water
2 to3 oz noodles of your choice( This time I used a local brand of low fat instant noodle called Koka)
1 cup mixed veggies (I used cauliflower, long beans, mushrooms, carrot, cabbage, baby spinach)
1-2 tbsp light soy sauce (or to taste)
Salt, a pinch of sugar (& black pepper/optional)
Fresh cilantro
lime juice

1. Boil or MW potato till it's almost soft(I microwaved it for 1.5 minute with 1 glass water)
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, lightly saute onion, ginger, and garlic about 1 minute (until transparent)
3. Add all remaining spices (including chili paste) and fry about 1 minute or until the aroma is released from the spices.
4. Add tomatoes, chilli and potatoes, and all the veggies except cabbage and spinach
and fry for about a minute
5. Add water and bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes
6. Add half cooked noodles and boil about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
7. Season with sugar, salt, pepper, and soya sauce to taste.
8. Add cabbage & spinach and boil another minute
9. Garnish with cilantro, and add a little lime juice.
10. Slurrp!
Here's another recipe for Thukpa, that looks really delicious, by Bindiya. Do check it out.